Field emission and other electron sources fabrication of dielectric layer in a novel triode structure CNT-fed

A new triode structure for printable carbon nanotube field emission displays is described in this paper. In the structure, silver paste is printed on the surface of a metal mesh and acts as the gate electrode. Between the gate and the metal mesh is a dielectric layer. MgO film and MgF/sub 2/ film are deposited on the surfaces of the mesh and the funnels by evaporation. A voltage applied on the metal mesh, the primary electrons emit from the CNT cathode and bombard on the surface of the metal mesh with initial energy. The secondary electrons and backscatters are generated. Because of the low energy of the secondary electrons, the gate can control the emission current easily. Therefore the range of the modulate voltage can be withdrawn. The dielectric layer on the surface of the metal mesh must be compact, otherwise silver paste will penetrate in after firing and under high voltage, breakdown of the insulator materials will occur by surface flashover. This paper reports the fabrication process of dielectric layer and the preparation of the materials.